Seal



SEAL

Filed Jan. 6, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l 6i CZZ Z QW IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Sept. 2, 1941. v EDGAR 2,254,568

SEAL

Filed Jan. 6, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Cf (LE/@7471 IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

BY M. i

Patented Sept. 2, 1941 OEECE Claims.

This invention relates to seals, the primary object of the invention being to provide a seal especially designedfor sealing various types of meters, and similar types of equipm nt, wherein the seal must be extended into a small opening.

An important object of the invention is to provide a seal of this character which is constructed in such a way that any attempt to remove the seal will result in the destruction of the seal, to the end that it will be possible to determine at a glance, whether the article sealed, has been opened or tampered with by unauthorized persons.

Another object of the invention is to provide a seal constructed so that it may be twisted in position in such a way that any possibility of the identification head of the seal being accidentally broken oif while a person is dusting around the meter sealed, or while the meter is being transported, is eliminated.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a seal constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a View of the seal, illustrating the tongue of the seal as bent rearwardly and passed through the keeper opening of the seal.

Figure 3 is an elevational view illustrating the tongue of the seal as extended through the keeper opening, and wrapped around the contracted portion of the seal.

Figure 4 is an elevational view illustrating the tongue as extended through the keeper opening and wrapped around the contracted portion of the seal, the identification head of the seal having been extended at right angles.

Figure 5 is an elevational View of the seal wherein the tongue has been extended through the keeper opening, and the tongue wrapped around the contracted portion of the seal, and the identification head to strengthen the head and prevent the identification head from being broken off, when the meter :or device sealed with the seal is being transported.

Figure 6 is an elevational View of a modified form of the invention, wherein a wire is used in conjunction with the seal.

Figure 7 illustrates the manner of securing the wire to the seal.

Figure 8 discloses a further step in securing the wire to the body portion of the seal.

Figure 9 is a view illustrating the ends of the wire as wrapped :or twisted together, and the identification head of the seal as extended latorally.

Figure 10 is an elevational view illustrating the seal and wire, the wire being extended through the keeper opening of the seal and wrapped around the identification head of the seal, which has been extended at right angles, bracing the identification head of the seal against accidental displacement.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the seal embodies a length of flat wire material formed into spaced heads 5 and 6 connected by a reduced portion or narrow neck 1. The neck 1 is formed into a plurality of fiat enlargements 8, the portions of the metal between the enlargements 8, being scored so that portions of the neck will break readily, when the neck has been bent around the tongue, in a manner as shown by Figure 4 of the drawings, and if an attempt is made to unwrap or untwist the neck portion.

The head 5, constitutes the body portion of the seal, and is provided with an opening through which'the tongue 9 of the seal, is extended when theseal is positioned to seal a meter, or similar equipment.

The head 6 constitutes what might be termed the identification head on which certain numbers or identification letters are formed. Upon positioning the seal, the tongue is extended through the opening of the meter or equipment to be sealed, and the tongue is then extended through the opening of the body portion. 5. Ihe tongue 9, is now wrapped around the neck 1, in a manner as shown by Figure 3 of the drawings, and the identification head 6 is bent laterally. The extended end of the tongue 9 is now wrapped around the identification head 6, in a manner as shown by Figure 5 of the drawings. It will be obvious that the end of the tongue 9 which is wrapped around the identification head 6, will strengthen the head 6, and prevent accidental displacement of the head, during transportation of the meter or equipment sealed with the device, or when persons are dusting around the meter or equipment sealed.

In order to remove the seal, it is necessary to bend the end of the-tongue out of contact with the identification head 6. The head 6 must then be bent in a reverse direction. Owing to the scored or notched portions of the neck 1, it will be obvious that the identification head will break off defacing the seal, and indicating that the seal has been tampered with.

In the form of the invention as illustrated by Sheet 2 of the drawings, the seal is especially designed for use in connection with a sealing wire. The body portion of the seal, which is constructed of a length of flat wire material, is shaped to provide an identification head and a head H, the heads 10 and H being connected by a contracted portion or neck I2, which is formed with scored or notched portions I3.

The head II is formed with an opening so that the wire used with the seal, and which is indicated by the reference character l4, may have one of its ends extended therethrough, as shown by Figure 7. In positioning the wire, the neck I2 of the seal is wrapped around one end-of the wire as shown by Figure 7. The ends of the wire are then twisted together in a manner as shown by Figure 8. It will of course be understood that prior to the twisting of the ends of the wire 14 together, the wire will be extended through an opening in the meter or equipment sealed.

After the neck of the seal has been wound around the twisted portion of the wire l4, the head H is extended at right angles, and the twisted portion of the wire I4 is wrapped around the head H, as shown by Figure 10, bracing the head ll against accidental displacement.

In this form of the inventiomit will be obvious that any attempt to remove the seal by untwisting the wire and neck l2 of the seal, will result in the identification head In becoming broken, indicating that the seal has been tampered with.

In view of the foregoing disclosure, a further detail description as to the use of the seal is unnecessary.

What is claimed is:

1. A seal of the class described, comprising a 2. A seal of the class described, comprising 5. length of fiat wire material constructed to provide wide head portions, a neck having scored portions connecting the head portions, one of said head portions having an opening, a tongue extending from one head, said tongue adapted to be extended through an opening of the equipment being sealed, said tongue adapted to be extended through an opening of the head, said neck adapted to be wrapped around the tongue and said neck adapted to break at the scored portions thereof when the neck is untwisted.

3. A seal of the class described, comprising a length of flat wire material providing an outer head and an inner head having an opening, a neck connecting the heads, said neck having scored portions providing weak sections, a tongue extending from the inner head and adapted to be extended into an opening of the equipment being sealed, and adapted to be extended through the opening of the inner head, said neck adapted to be twistedaround the end of the tongue extended through the opening, and said neck adapted to break at the scored portions upon reverse twisting of the neck, indicating manipulation of the seal.

4. A seal of the class described, comprising a length of flat wire material constructed to provide an inner head having an opening, and an outer head, a neck having scored-portions, connecting the heads, a tongue extending from the inner head and adapted to be connected with the equipment sealed with the device, said tongue adapted to be extended through the opening of the head and adapted to lie in contact with the neck, said neck adapted to be wrapped around the tongue, and said neck adapted to break at the scored portions thereof upon reverse twisting of the neck, indicating manipulation of the seal.

5. A seal of the class described comprising a length of fiat wire material constructed to provide a pair of wide head portions, one of the head portions having an opening, a neck connecting the head portions, said neck having scored portions weakening the neck portion, a wire member adapted to be extended through the opening of one of the head portions and adapted to be twisted around the neck portion, said neck portion adapted to also be twisted around the wire, and said neck portion adapted to break at the scored portions thereof upon reverse twisting of the neck.

CHARLES C. EDGAR. 

